Israeli Students Will Talk About Gaza War at Start of School Year

Cultural Events, Talent Shows To Help Kids Relax

The first two weeks of the Israeli school year will include discussion of Israel’s operation in Gaza, the education ministry announced.

The ministry on Monday issued a syllabus to teachers which calls on them to allow students to talk about their personal experiences and to work on special projects in which they express their feelings about the month-long operation, dubbed Protective Edge.

School starts in Israel on Sept. 1.

Teachers also are asked to hold discussions about freedom of speech in a democratic society and how to hold an open dialogue.

Schools also are expected to hold cultural events and talent shows in an effort to help students relax following a summer of running to bomb shelters and hearing news of rocket attacks.

“We dedicate the first week of school as well as the school year to addressing the scourge of racism and talking with students about the aspects of tolerance, acceptance of others and the eradication of racism in society,” Education Minister Shai Piron said in a statement on the Ministry’s website.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command is considering changing school bus routes in southern Israel to make sure the students have a protected place to disembark in the event of a rocket attack, according to reports.

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